Excerpts from a speech given to the 1916 Convention of the National Education Association, “The Public Schools and the Working Man,” (full speech linked). Gompers was followed by John Dewey on the program!

From the introduction:

On the schools, the labor movement and combating inequality:

On the role of teachers in the maintenance of a “truly American spirit”:

For those in Madison, please join the celebration of Labor Day at LaborFest, September 3, 12:00 Noon to 5:30, at the Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St (poster/flier linked here). Good music, good food, good people, good idea.

One response to “Labor Day Blast from the Past: Samuel Gompers on Public Education”

Simply marvelous! To think that I had forgotten about Samuel Gompers. Thank you for sharing these still relevant insights into the nature, purpose, and struggles of public education. Teachers everywhere should take these words to heart and share them at every opportunity.